Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1887-12-22
A Famous Confederate General.

Gen. LOngstreet is writing book on
the war, says letter from GAINESVILLE,
Ga. AS he finishes a chapter he sends
the manuscript to WASHINGTON to have
all dates and figures verified from the
official records. Il expect both sides to
pitch into me- he says. 'snd am TAX
ing time to be certain Of my state
ments.'
There is little doubt both sides will
pitch into him. IL he writes as he talks.
Frankness is one of the Generals
strong characteristics. But no element
of recklessness enters intothe operation
of his mind. He is ontspoken but de-
liberate. His life since the war has
been such as torelieye him OF prejudice
in favor of the side he fought on. He
is 'out Of politics entirely to quote his
own language, and out of afliIiation
with his old army associates. But at
the same ime there is no trace of dis
appointment. of malice, of bitterness
in his manner. UDder such conditions
he si's down 10 write his narrative OF
the war. And il will be history.
IIr,iug led the life of a soldier from
the time he entered West Point up to
the time the states seeded, Longstreet
stepped into almost the highest position
at the very outset of the civil war, and
he saw hard and continuous service to
the end. Ii was Longstreet's corps
which, on the second Of the three days
lightiDg on and about Chickamauga,
jumped from the cars on which they
had come all the way from Virginia,
Il, 900 strong, ana rushed into battle
from Rlnggold, enabling Bragg to
drive Rosecrans pack on Chattanooga.
1t was Longstreet's corps that COW
eItd the retreat of Lee at Gettysburg.
IL was Longstreet everywhere in Vir-
gina, from Bull Run TO the end, and
then at Appomattox Longstreet was
the one selected by Lee as the ranking
Officrr TO go and arrange the prelIm-
inaries of surrender.
The moist atmosphere of New Or
leans gave Gen. LoDgstreet the rheum-
atism, which was aggravated a good
deal probably by bad wound received
in the storming of Chapultepec. Since
he came to GAINESVILLE his health has
improved. He is busy man at 66. A
short distance out of the metropolis OF
northeast Georgia, as the city is called,
the general has farm OF one hundred
acres, with large old-fashioned man.
sion. The house stands on an eleva-
tion in the midst of trees and shrub
berry. From the upper gallery there is
grand view Of mountain scenery
Kennesaw aud a dozen other wooded
peaks being in view. The generals
farming is confined mainly TO the care
of vineyard of scuppernongs, and
other varieties of grapes, to which be
gives a good deal of personal attention.
GAINESVILLE is popular summer resort
for the gulf states. The altitude in
sures right temperature which often
sends the newcomer prowling around
at 2 O'Clock in the morning for more
bed-clotheS.
There are iron and sulphur springs
scattered through the mountains. Peo-
pie who have ills, and people who I'M
agine they have, summer here for the
waters. Some years ago Minnesota
man came down here and built large
hotel, the General furnishing some of
the capital. The property fell into the
generals hands in the course of time.
He has usually rented it. This year he
opened it, and has had great colony
OF summer bOarders from the low coun-
try TO lock after. a son attends to the
details, but the general comes in from
his vineyard every day to see that his
guests are comfortable.
At the battle of the Wilderness
ball tore through his right shoulder and
The wound left the arm partially para
lived. For long time after the war
he could only write by moving his
whole arm for each stroke OF the pen,
and even then had 10 assist the stiff.
ened member with his left hand. Con-
cluding that this would never do, he set
to work to learn tC write with his left
hand, and now does all his extensive
correspondence and literary work in
that way.
He looks his improved health. HIS
face is ruddy. His eyes are bright and
he walks firmly. The long, heavy
whiskers are as white as snow. His
publishers have put him under injunc-
tions not to talk about the contents OF
the book.